The Mauritian Ministry of Health has introduced several new services over the past two years, including the Diabetes and Vascular Centre at Dr A. G. Jeetoo hospital and the Renal Transplant Unit at Jawaharlal Nehru hospital. Minister Anil Kumar Bachoo attributes the challenges faced by the ministry to the previous administration, led by Kailesh Jagutpal, which he claims left the ministry with significant debts, medication and equipment shortages, and an aging workforce.
Despite these challenges, the ministry highlights the progressive rollout of the E-Health system, aimed at managing electronic medical records, which began in August 2025. Additionally, new Trauma and Emergency Units have been established to improve the management of medical emergencies and traumatic injuries. However, union representatives argue that the inauguration of new services is insufficient without adequate staffing and equipment to operate them effectively.
Dr Meetheelesh Abeeluck, president of the Government Medical and Dental Officers Association, notes that healthcare workers continue to face numerous difficulties, including a shortage of staff, which has worsened with the opening of new units that often lack necessary personnel. He emphasizes that launching a new service requires adequate staffing to be considered a genuine achievement. Abeeluck also laments the shortage of medications and request forms for various queries.
Ram Nowzadick, president of the Federation of Health Services Union and the Nursing Association, is more critical, stating that the healthcare service has regressed over the past two years. He views several achievements as merely "cosmetic," with services being renamed without notable improvements in operations. Nowzadick also points to the lack of specialized training for staff in certain departments and criticizes the limited dialogue between the ministry and unions since Anil Bachoo's appointment.
The management of human resources remains a weakness, according to Nowzadick, with medical staff not having enough time to devote to patients due to the constraints they face. The E-Health system has also faced criticism, with Nowzadick citing several malfunctions and suggesting that its effectiveness can only be judged once it is fully deployed across all health centers. He stresses the need for better planning and coordination among concerned parties.
Both union representatives, Dr Meetheelesh Abeeluck and Ram Nowzadick, express concern about violence against hospital staff, which they say has increased in severity and frequency. Despite the minister's announcements on this issue, they believe the situation has not improved significantly. Nowzadick also highlights the shortage of specialized nurses, particularly in geriatric and diabetes care services, with only 200 of the 1,000 planned nurses joining the ministry over the past two years.
The situation has led to frustration among staff, with Nowzadick calling for a policy to retain personnel and recognize their experience. Other issues, such as a lack of office supplies and the precarious situation of employees in temporary positions for several years, have pushed some to leave the service prematurely.
Key points
- The Mauritian Ministry of Health faces criticism from unions over the inauguration of new health services without adequate staffing and resources.
- Union representatives highlight a shortage of staff, medications, and equipment, as well as violence against hospital personnel.
- The E-Health system has faced criticism for malfunctions and the need for better planning and coordination.
